CHICAGO (Reuters) - Aon Corp. (AOC) , the world's No. 2 insurance broker, yesterday said quarterly profits rose as it made more commissions on higher premium rates, and it stood by its forecast for stronger 2003 earnings.

Its shares rose nearly 9 percent in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Chicago-based brokerage said its fourth-quarter earnings rose to $177 million, or 59 cents per share, from $26 million, or 10 cents per share, in the year-ago period. Analysts on average expected earnings of 54 cents per share, with estimates ranging from 43 cents to 58 cents, according to research firm Thomson First Call. The company also said it was comfortable with estimates for 2003 earnings of $1.90 to $2.00 a share. It earned $1.64 a share in 2002, including charges, it said. Aon, like other brokers including larger rival Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc. (MMC) , has benefited from rising insurance premium rates.